Travel and Hiking

A looping walk over tricky terrain and unrestored ‘wild’ Great Wall on the west side of Jiankou, peaking at the impressive Nine-Eyes Tower.

The hike

We start out on a trail out the back of the village at Jiankou, climbing up and over a ridge and down again into a forested valley.

We’ll gradually head up the valley, turning off to climb a steep trail that leads to Er Dao Bian Tower, the start of the Nine-Eyes Tower loop. Er Dao Bian roughly translates as ‘Two Roads On Each Side,’ and at this point in the hike we’ll be at approximately 900m above sea level.

The Great Wall that leads up to Nine-Eyes Tower is not in good condition. The first section is now just a pile of rocks that leads up into a forest. Further up into the forest, we'll find the foundations of towers, and then some battlements and side walls begin to appear out of the trees.

The Great Wall that leads up to Nine-Eyes Tower is also very steep. We'll be gaining 300m of altitude on the way up.

Nine-Eyes Tower is nearly 1,200m above sea level. In its original condition it had three levels, and the lower level had nine windows on each side. It would have been an impressive sight, and still is to some extent—it's an unusually large tower, and repairs made in 2014 show the layout of its lower level.

We'll follow a hill trail back down to Er Dao Bian Tower and then hike the wall south towards the Chinese Knot section, passing around and over ten towers on a stretch of wall known locally as the 'Big West Wall'.

The first four towers are not in the best condition, and the trail we take sometimes skirts around sections that are too steep or too broken to walk on.

After a while we’ll be back on to more solid footing, and we'll get excellent views of the Big West Wall: solid and uncommonly tall foundations made of huge carved rocks topped with Ming Dynasty (1368–1644 AD) brickwork and towers.

At the tenth tower of the Big West Wall, just below the Chinese Knot, we’ll leave the wall and follow a trail back to Xizhazi Village – steep and slippery at the beginning, flattening out as we pass through a lovely forested area and the villagers’ orchards and fields.

Our bus will be waiting for us at the village carpark, and we'll unpack our picnic tables for snacks and cold drinks before we head back to Beijing.

Cost: ¥430 / ¥390 for members

See a full description, more photos, and book online at https://www.beijinghikers.com/hike-in-beijing/view/1987/nine-eyes-tower-and-the-jiankou-big-west-great-wall/

Beijing Hikers—fun and friendly hikes and trips around Beijing and greater China, since 2001.

For more updates on hikes and trips follow our WeChat account BeijingHikers北京爱山 and keep an eye on www.beijinghikers.com

https://www.beijinghikers.com / info@beijinghikers.com

Hike up and over repaired Great Wall and cross the glass bridge in the Lakeside Great Wall Scenic Area, and then hike out the back of the park area to find quieter trails and unrepaired Great Wall at Longquanyu.

At the Lakeside Great Wall we start off by crossing over the ‘70s-era dam that created the reservoir here, and then we make a short climb to get up on to the repaired Great Wall. From atop the wall here we’ll be able to see wall all around – an unrepaired section of Great Wall climbing a cliff above the reservoir, and more of the repaired wall on the other side of the lake. The views of the reservoir itself are also excellent – the wall runs high above the lake, and we’ll see little paddleboats dotting the water.

Just outside the Lakeside Great Wall park area is a short stretch of repaired Great Wall that soon turns rough and wild. We’ll follow the wall up to a large tower on a hill top, and then over and along to a dip in the hills. A short, steep, and somewhat tricky descent takes us down into the dip.

Beyond the dip the Great Wall heads up to cliffs and then dead-ends. We won’t hike up that way; we’ll instead follow field trails down into a valley, and then down a narrow track to get back to the Lakeside Great Wall scenic area.

Cost: ¥470 / ¥420 for members / ¥240 for kids

See a full description, more photos, and book online at https://www.beijinghikers.com/hike-in-beijing/view/1733/lakeside-great-wall-and-longquanyu-3/

Beijing Hikers—fun and friendly hikes and trips around Beijing and greater China, since 2001.

For more updates on hikes and trips follow our WeChat account BeijingHikers北京爱山 and keep an eye on www.beijinghikers.com

https://www.beijinghikers.com / info@beijinghikers.com

Follow the western end of the repaired Great Wall at Badaling up and over a big mountain or two to finish on the ‘wild’ section east of Stone Valley Village. (It’s not the super-touristy part of Badaling!)

This part is known as the Badaling Ancient Great Wall, and it has all been repaired and fixed up.

Most visitors here just take a look at the lower two towers and head back, as the Great Wall here gets rather steep.

What we’ll do for this hike is keep going up, and up, and then over and down, then up and over another hill … all the way to Stone Valley Village.

The views are superb the whole way—to the north, a broad plain lies below mountains; to the south, more mountains and maybe a glimpse of Beijing city; to the east, the Badaling Great Wall runs through the hills to a high peak; and to the west, more Great Wall running along ridges.

The exercise is also superb! For almost all the hike you’re either climbing up or climbing down, and it gets quite steep. And once you get over the first mountain and down the other side, there’s a smaller hill to go up and over, and we’ll see some unrepaired Great Wall here before hiking down to the finish.

Cost: ¥450 / ¥405 for members

See a full description, more photos, and book online at https://www.beijinghikers.com/hike-in-beijing/view/2145/badaling-ancient-great-wall-3/

Beijing Hikers—fun and friendly hikes and trips around Beijing and greater China, since 2001.

For more updates on hikes and trips follow our WeChat account BeijingHikers北京爱山 and keep an eye on www.beijinghikers.com

https://www.beijinghikers.com / info@beijinghikers.com

Hongluosi is located at the southern foot of Hongluo Mountain in Beijing’s Huairou District, Hongluo Temple is one of the most important Buddhist temples in northern China, with a history of over 1,600 years. Often referred to as “the leading Buddhist sanctuary of the North,” it offers a rare blend of nature, culture, and tranquility. It is well known as a place for reflection and renewal, attracting visitors seeking calm, inspiration, and meaningful moments in nature.

Hongluosi is one of the most important temples for Beijingers to pray at during the Chinese Spring Festival. We would like to avoid the busiest days, so we plan to post the event in advance. It is a beautiful temple to visit; at the same time, we are designing the experience as a hiking trail rather than a typical tourist visit. Therefore, we have redesigned the route to make it more fun and engaging. This route begins with a hike on a quieter trail and later connects to the main tourist area. To ensure compliance and a smooth experience, we will purchase entrance tickets in advance, even though we are not entering through the main gate.

Hike Information:

l Date: Feb.7th (Saturday)

l Location: Huairou

l Drive time: 1.5hours each way

【The route type】Comfortable dirt road with paved road

【The route description】Starting dirt road behind the tourist area, then we climb the hill 400 meters and then reach a big stone to cross it. Then the rest of path is paved road, it is easy to walk. One more time: We’ll start the hike on a quieter trail and then join the main tourist area from inside the park. Even though we’re not using the main entrance, we’ll still buy entrance tickets as usual to keep everything simple and trouble-free.

l Distance: 8.5km

l Time to complete: 5hours

l Total ascent: 424m

l Total descent: 425m

l Peak: 492m

l Lowest point: 78m

Notice:

1. Take at least 2 bottles of water.

2. Bring some lunch, and some snacks.

3. Hiking boots are recommended.

4. More details will be posted in the group before hiking.

Itinerary:

Along this trail, we add 1–2 pickup stops for hikers if it works smoothly. Waiting times will be strictly enforced, and we will not wait for late arrivals. Drop-off will be at the same location as pickup when we return.

07.45: Departure from Dongzhimen line2 exit B(B1/B2). [Option A]

08:00: Liangmaqiao line10 exit B. [Option B]

08:15: Shaoyaoju . [Option C]

09.30: Arrive the point, beginning of hike.

15.00: Ending the hike.

Activity Fee: 160RMB/person without entrance fee.

Price includes:

1. Transportation with a driver

2. Hiking Leaders: Lengzhi and Nuanyang

3. One day outdoor insurance

4. Payment: transfer the fee by Wechat or Alipay when we confirm the event on Thursday.

(Note: the offical entrance fee is 54.00RMB/person. Let's see if we could have a group discount when we are there.)

Please note:

- Do not participate if you are sick or showing symptoms of ever or couching.

- Customer service: Mona. If you have any suggestions or complaint, please feel free to leave messages.

- Photos will be used in the social media platform. If you don't want to show in the picture, let us know.

Hikers:

If you are a bilinguist, your language skill will help leaders solve some troubles. Don't be shy, show it off. We need you.

Cancellation:

1. Kindly reminder: You can cancel anytime till the deadline on Friday 18:00PM. As we have to fix capacties for the bus and pay the driver and the guides. After deadline, we will have charge you 80% activity fee. Or you find another person not yet registered to join the hike. If your cancellation is on Saturday morning or if you are late and missed the hike, please pay 100% activity fee. We repect your choice. When you register for this activity, you accept this cancelation policy.

2. Bad weather plan:We will message you 1-2 days before the hike to let you know about theweather condition. If there is a thunderstorm, heavy rain or strongwinds it will be dangerous to do the hike in the high mountains. So we will cancel it or change the dates.

Join us:

Scan the QR in below to note the name of event. Then add you into the group.

Lianhuatan Village, under the jurisdiction of Jingzhuang Town in Yanqing District, was an important transportation hub in ancient times. It is called "Lianhua", because there are three small mountains to the south of the village, and it looks like lotus flowers from far away. During the Qing Dynasty, the village was renamed to its current name. The village is situated in a small basin on the terrace of the valley, with undulating terrain at an elevation of about 687 meters. There are currently 78 households with a total population of 191 people, all of whom are Han nationality. The main surnames are Shen, Wang, and Fang. We always organize it in Summer time. Now let's enjoy the scenery of different seasons.

Hike Information:

l Date: Feb.1st (Sunday)

l Location: Yanqing

l Drive time: 2 hours each way

【The route type】Comfortable dirt road

【The route description】Starting from Lianhuatan, passing through a pine forest, then climbing 200 meters and reach the mountain ridge to walk about 1 kilometer before descending. The rest of path is mostly flat mountain trail, it is easy to walk. Along the winding stream that is frozen now, you also can walk on the ice for a fun. Kids friendly. It is a pleasant atmosphere in winter as well.

l Distance: 10km

l Time to complete: 5hours

l Total ascent: 285m

l Total descent: 289m

l Peak: 740m

l Lowest point: 519m

Notice:

1. Take 2 bottles of water.

2. Bring some lunch, and some snacks.

3. Hiking boots are recommended.

4. More details will be posted in the group before hiking.

Itinerary:

Along this trail, we add 1–2 pickup stops for hikers if it works smoothly. Waiting times will be strictly enforced, and we will not wait for late arrivals. Drop-off will be at the same location as pickup when we return.

07.45: Departure from Dongzhimen line2 exit B(B1/B2). [Option A]

08:00: Liangmaqiao line10 exit B. [Option B]

08:15: Jiandemen line 10 exit B. [Option C]

10.00: Arrive the village, beginning of hike.

15.30: Ending the hike.

Activity Fee: 160RMB/person.

(Kids is the same price.)

Price includes:

1. Transportation with a driver

2. Hiking Leaders: Lengzhi and TBD

3. One day outdoor insurance

4. Payment: transfer the fee by Wechat or Alipay when we confirm the event on Thursday.

Please note:

- Do not participate if you are sick or showing symptoms of ever or couching.

- Customer service: Mona. If you have any suggestions or complaint, please feel free to leave messages.

- Photos will be used in the social media platform. If you don't want to show in the picture, let us know.

Hikers:

If you are a bilinguist, your language skill will help leaders solve some troubles. Don't be shy, show it off. We need you.

Cancellation:

1. You can cancel anytime till the deadline on Saturday 13:00PM. As we have to fix capacties for the bus and the guides. After deadline, we will have charge you 80% activity fee. Or you find another person not yet registered to join the hike. If your cancellation is on Sunday morning, or you are late and missed the hike, please pay 100% activity fee. We repect your choice. When you register for this activity, you accept this cancelation policy.

2. Bad weather plan: We will message you 1-2 days before the hike to let you know about theweather condition. If there is a thunderstorm, heavy rain or strongwinds it will be dangerous to do the hike in the high mountains. Sowe will cancel it or change the dates.

Join us:

Scan the QR in below to note the name of event. Then add you into the group.

Houhe, hidden deep in Yanqing’s mountains northwest of Beijing, is a classic wild canyon hike loved by local outdoor enthusiasts. In winter, the most captivating feature of Houhe is its ice formations. The ice can reach a thickness of over one meter, with smooth, mirror-like surfaces that appear pure white or pale blue, creating a truly spectacular sight. The route follows a clear mountain stream through a narrow gorge, where hikers move between mountain, and the canyon. Free from commercial development, Houhe offers a raw and immersive outdoor experience, with changing scenery at every turn and a refreshing escape from the city. This hike is best suited for those who enjoy adventurous terrain, ice walking, and the feeling of exploring a truly natural landscape. The hiking trail is only in Winter time.

Hike Information:

l Date: Jan.24th (Saturday)

l Location: Yanqing

l Drive time: 2 hours each way

【The route type】Mountain trail + ice river

【The route description】At the beginning, we climb up the mountain. The route is moutain dirt path. Then we go down the mountain to reach the Houhe. It is rocky trail, few section is steep. Hiking poles can help you support well. When we arrive the Houhe, we are across the valley and walk on the ice. The crampon is necessary. Then, we will climb up again to go out from valley. The route is similar but more flat. Winter hiking in Houhe is an outdoor traverse route rather than a scenic leisure trail. Some sections require crossing mountain passes and demand a certain level of physical fitness.

l Distance: 12km

l Time to complete: 6hours

l Total ascent: 704m

l Total descent: 660m

l Peak: 829m

l Lowest point: 515m

Notice:

1. Take at least 2-3 bottles of water

2. Bring some lunch, and some snacks.

3. Hiking boots are recommended.

4. More details will be posted in the group the day before the hike.

Itinerary:

07.30: Departure from Dongzhimen (line2 exit B)

09.30: Arrive the village, beginning of hike.

16.00: Ending the hike.

18:00: Back to Beijing.

Activity Fee: 160RMB/person.

Activity Price includes:

1. Transportation with a driver

2. Hiking Leaders: Lengzhi; Nuanyang

3. One day outdoor insurance

4. Payment: transfer the fee by Wechat or Alipay when we confirm the event on Thursday.

Please note:

- Do not participate if you are sick or showing symptoms of ever or couching.

- Customer service: Mona (wechat id: mona_zhangli) If you have any suggestions orcomplaint, please feel free to leave messages.

- Photos will be used in the social media platform. If you don't want to show in the picture, let us know.

Cancellation:

1. Kindly reminder: You can cancel anytime till the deadline on Friday 18:00PM. As we have to fix capacties for the bus and pay the driver and the guides. After deadline, we will have charge you 80% activity fee. Or you find another person not yet registered to join the hike. If your cancellation is on Saturday morning or if you are late and missed the hike, please pay 100% activity fee. We repect your choice. When you register for this activity, you accept this cancelation policy.

2. Bad weather plan:We will message you 1-2 days before the hike to let you know about theweather condition. If there is a thunderstorm, heavy rain or strongwinds it will be dangerous to do the hike in the high mountains. So we will cancel it or change the dates.

Join us:

Scan the QR in below to note the name of event. Then add you into the group.

Step into the shadows of 1930s Beijing on this evening walk inspired by Paul French's best-selling book Midnight in Peking. Follow the story of Pamela Werner's unsolved murder, a mystery that gripped the city and revealed the darker undercurrents of its past. January 1937, the body of the young British woman was discovered at the base of the old city wall near the Fox Tower. Her death shocked both the foreign community and local Beijingers, sparking an investigation that drew together colonial intrigue, espionage, and the city's underworld. Her case was never solved.

Decades later, Paul French took a deep dive into old police reports, private letters, and diplomatic archives to piece together what may have really happened. The result was Midnight in Peking a haunting, bestselling book that reads like a noir thriller, but every word meant to reveal the truth.

Led by guides personally trained by Paul French, the walk takes you through alleys and landmarks once at the heart of the case. Along the way, you'll uncover forgotten corners of old Beijing and hear stories that bring its history to life.

This is a different kind of walk through Beijing, one that winds through forgotten corners of the city where history, crime, and colonial intrigue collide.

Runs the last Sunday of every month

Price: RMB 398 per person

Next tour: January, 2025

Follow us on Instagram: @wildchinatravel Book via WeChat or at WildChina website: https://wildchina.com/tour/midnight-in-peking-walking-tour/

Hike a loop around Xiangtun Village, hiking down by the frozen stream in ‘Big Cloud’ Canyon, passing through chestnut and walnut orchards, and taking a quick look at some of the Great Wall in the area.

We hike by Xiangtun Village on some of our longer walks, and the main attractions in the area are the Longquanyu Great Wall, and the ‘Big Cloud’ Canyon, a deep canyon with a small stream running down the middle.

Previously a farming area, the village is a small collection of courtyards and houses that are now mostly converted into guesthouses and small restaurants. The villagers still maintain their chestnut and walnut orchards, and when we’re not hiking up on the Great Wall or down in the canyon, we’ll be walking narrow dirt tracks through the orchards on the hills around the village.

For this visit we’ll start in the village and then hike down the canyon. We’ll hike up a short, steep, section of Great Wall, and finish the hike with an easy walk out through chestnut orchards.

Our walk ends in the village square, and we’ll organise some light snacks and drinks at a village restaurant. Nearby the restaurant, in the village square, you might also be able to shop for walnuts, chestnuts, and other village produce.

This outing is best for ages 6 and up. Younger kids could walk in places but would need to be carried for most of the hike.

Cost: ¥380 / ¥340 for members / ¥220 for kids 5+ / free for kids 3-4yo

See a full description, more photos, and book online at https://www.beijinghikers.com/hike-in-beijing/view/1792/xiangtun-village-easy-loop/

Beijing Hikers—fun and friendly hikes and trips around Beijing and greater China, since 2001.

For more updates on hikes and trips follow our WeChat account BeijingHikers北京爱山 and keep an eye on www.beijinghikers.com

https://www.beijinghikers.com / info@beijinghikers.com

On this two-day trip to Yu County in Hebei Province you’ll walk the streets of well-preserved Yuxian Ancient Town, visiting the pavilions and pagodas, as well as visiting Jimingyi, the remnants of a Ming Dynasty postal relay center. And, on the first evening, we’ll take in a performance that includes dashuhua, a 300-year old local tradition that translates as ‘making a tree of flaming flowers’ and results in molten iron being flung against the city walls instead of a fireworks display!

During Chinese New Year Beijing empties out as people return to their hometowns to celebrate Spring Festival with their families. With everyone home in Yu County for the holiday it’s sure to be lively, and there will also be extra special shows and performances in the streets of the old towns we visit.

Trip overview

Day One: Drive to Yu County, check in to hotel, out for a walking tour of Nuanquan Town after lunch, dashuhua performance, dinner at the hotel.

Day Two: Breakfast at the hotel, walking tour of Yuxian Old Town including Yuhuang Pavilion, city walls, North Gate, and big pagoda; hike near White Horse Temple, lunch and a walking tour of Jimingyi Ancient Town, back to Beijing.

Cost: ¥2,300 / ¥2,090 for members / ¥1,870 for under 18s

See a full description, more photos, and book online at https://www.beijinghikers.com/hike-in-beijing/view/433/yu-county-ancient-walled-towns-overnight/

Beijing Hikers—fun and friendly hikes and trips around Beijing and greater China, since 2001.

For more updates on hikes and trips follow our WeChat account BeijingHikers北京爱山 and keep an eye on www.beijinghikers.com

https://www.beijinghikers.com / info@beijinghikers.com

Walk from Gubeikou to Jinshanling, following stretches of restored and unrestored Great Wall and taking a detour through the pretty farmland that surrounds Hemp Village, finishing all the way over at the eastern end of Jinshanling.

The hike begins at the Gubeikou section of the Great Wall in Miyun County, very close to the border of the Beijing and Hebei provinces. Even though it’s designated as a park, this section of the Great Wall is largely unrestored. It’s not often visited either, probably because it is so far away from central Beijing.

We’ll start the walk with a short climb up to a tower on the Wall. There are a lot of towers on this stretch of the Wall – some in good condition, some tumbled down to foundations only. From the first tower we can see the Wall stretching off into the hills of northern Miyun. We’ll be following it the other way, towards Jinshanling, and Hebei Province.

Along the way to Jinshanling we’ll get a different view of the wall, walking a trail by the base of the Mongolia side, and making a few tricky ascents and descents on the way to the archway that will get us back on top. This section is the west side of the Jinshanling Great Wall.

We’ll be following the Jinshanling Great Wall from west to east, starting off on the unrestored section before heading down into the main restored area. We’ll follow the wall into the middle section of the Jinshanling Great Wall, and then up past both ‘Small’ and ‘Big’ Jinshan towers to reach Houchuankou Pass.

Cost: ¥510 / ¥460 for members

See a full description, more photos, and book online at https://www.beijinghikers.com/hike-in-beijing/view/1037/gubeikou-to-jinshanling-great-wall-east-4/

Beijing Hikers—fun and friendly hikes and trips around Beijing and greater China, since 2001.

For more updates on hikes and trips follow our WeChat account BeijingHikers北京爱山 and keep an eye on www.beijinghikers.com

https://www.beijinghikers.com / info@beijinghikers.com